Dozens of Democratic Candidates Decline to Back Hakeem Jeffries as Party Leadership Faces Growing Tension

While Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has often been a focal point of progressive criticism, Jeffries is increasingly facing similar pushback from younger and more activist-aligned Democrats. Many argue that the party’s current leadership has failed to show enough urgency in confronting conservative policies or advancing bold reforms.

Some candidates told Axios that their hesitation isn’t about Jeffries personally but about what he represents — a continuation of establishment politics.

Heath Howard, a state representative from New Hampshire running for Congress, put it bluntly: “We need leadership that’s ready to fight back much harder against the Trump administration and what it stands for.”

Kat Abughazaleh, running in Illinois to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, said she would support a leader who is “taking real action” against Republican policies and using the left’s influence “to demand progressive change.”

Amanda Edwards, a former Houston city council member now running for Congress, told the outlet, “We’ve got to see improvement, without question.”

Key Candidates Keeping Their Distance

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